Venerande Niyotugira (42) from Rwanda graduated Cum Laude and obtained the Dean’s Merit Award at the DUT Celebratory Autumn graduation at the Inkosi Albert Durban International Convention Centre, on Tuesday, 19 July 2022.

She is extremely thrilled to have graduated Cum Laude and obtain the Dean’s Merit Award for her Diploma in Human Resources Management.

In 2019 she enrolled in the three-year diploma programme in Human Resources Management at DUT. Her eagerness to pursue her studies in Management Sciences was triggered by the demands of her line of work as a librarian assistant at Maris Stella School and her responsibilities at Paran Ministries, which both required some Human Resources Management skills.

Her academic success was possible due to the educational support she received from DUT and the guidance from the academic staff in different lectures, tutorials, and the academic writing centre.

“Today I am celebrating this wonderful achievement with pride and joy; however, I recall that the journey was not easy in completing this diploma programme. English is the main language of instructions at DUT, and it is my fourth language after Kinyarwanda, French and Swahili. I had difficulties using English for communication and academic purposes at the programme entry-level,” she stressed.

Her future plans include pursuing her studies to a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degrees in Management Sciences, applying the acquired knowledge and skills to manage people humanely and meeting the organisational goals of her current and future work settings.

Pictured: Venerande Niyotugira

Photographer: Mfundiso Khanyile

Nomvelo Zulu